It’s been a cold and rainy week, but this weekend is going to be beautiful and sunny! Take the kids out on a hike, visit some prairie dogs, celebrate Cinco de Mayo, check out the Estes Park duck race and MORE. All happening this weekend in and around Boulder.
Little Town on the Prairie

Photo credit: Susan Honeycut, Courtesy City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks
When: Saturday, May 5, 2018
Where: Meet at the South Boulder Creek trail access point on Marshall Road (just off Hwy 93, immediately south of Boulder).
Time: 8:30AM – 10AM
Cost: FREE
Learn some amazing stuff about Boulder’s favorite rodent on this short easy hike with naturalist Dave Sutherland. Visit a prairie dog town just south of Boulder to observe day-to-day life, this year’s babies (who have just emerged) and see how prairie dogs are an important part of the grassland ecosystem. Bring a camera for close-up photos – these prairie dogs are very comfortable around people. All ages welcome.
Estes Park Duck Race Festival


When: Saturday, May 5, 2018
Where: Estes Park
Time: 8:30AM – 6PM
Cost: FREE
With a drop from a giant bucket, thousands of little yellow rubber ducks are ceremoniously dropped into Fall River at Nicky’s Resort for the 30th Annual Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival. Adopt a $20 duck for the chance to win one of the hundreds of prizes offered, including a trip to Costa Rica or Mexico/Riviera Maya. Proceeds from the event go to over 60 different Estes Valley charities. These charities will receive 95% of the money collected from adoptions. It’s a fun family outing with lots of music and entertainment as well. Race festivities get underway at Nicky’s Resort at 11AM on race day. Ducks go into the water at 1PM and activities continue in Riverside Plaza until the last duck swims past the finish line. On race day, beginning at 8 am, Bond Park will feature FREE family fun, music, activities, duck sales and more! Get your duck online and find more details at EPDuckRace.org.
2018 Longmont Celebrates Cinco De Mayo


When: Saturday, May 5, 2018
Where: City of Longmont Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Avenue, Longmont, Colorado 80501
Time: 11AM – 6PM
Cost: FREE
The 16th Annual Longmont Celebrates…Cinco de Mayo Celebration is a healthy, fun, family-oriented event. The sponsors of this amazing event bring diverse communities together to educate, share, appreciate and enjoy each other’s differences. Activities include live music, dancing and entertainment, car show, food vendors, shopping, free family activities. For all the details, click here. Sponsored by Padres Involucrados en la Educación, Suavé Car Club, Casa de la Esperanza, Longmont Youth Center, Children, Youth & Families, Boulder County Healthy Youth Alliance, and Rêver.
Civic Area SMiLE Scavenger Hunt


When: Saturday, May 5, 2018
Where: Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, Colorado 80302
Time: 11AM – 12PM
Cost: FREE
Bring your children, grandchildren and young-at-heart friends to downtown Boulder for a fun, family-friendly SMiLE scavenger hunt! Meet at the new playground outside of the Main Boulder Public Library, then walk through the Civic Area, keeping your eyes peeled for up to 10 artworks by Boulder’s favorite street artist, SMiLE. Participants will receive a “bingo card” of all of the SMiLE works on our route with clues written in verse – spot them all and win a prize! Snacks and stickers will be given to all of the young explorers who come along. Optional lunch at the Farmer’s Market afterward for all who would like to participate. This walking adventure is one of five Boulder Walks events in celebration of writer, urban thinker, and champion of “cities for people,” Jane Jacobs, as part of the Jane’s Walk Global Festival.
May Kids Club at Village at the Peaks


When: Saturday, May 5, 2018
Where: Village at the Peaks, 1250 S Hover St, Longmont, Colorado 80501
Time: 10AM – 12PM
Cost: FREE
Grab the whole family and head to Village at the Peaks for the Cinco De Mayo Kids Club event at Village at the Peaks! Free activities for the whole family include: mariachi band, taco bar by Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, face painter, balloon twister, crafts, and flamenco dancers.
Boulder Civic Area Opening Celebration


When: Sunday, May 6, 2018
Where: Central Park West of the Civic Area, 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302
Time: 11AM – 2PM
Cost: FREE
Join Boulder Parks and Recreation to celebrate the opening of the Civic Area Park’s Phase One of construction – the “park at the core” enhancements to Central Park. Enjoy a FREE afternoon of family-friendly activities, lawn games, exciting local food trucks and live music from Caribou Mountain Collective (Bluegrass/Roots) and Kaleidoscope Music’s House of Joy (Family/Children). Bring a picnic blanket and come enjoy the renovated Central Park and the exciting new Creekside Play Area.
Mom & Kiddo Hike at Chautauqua


When: Sunday, May 6, 2018
Where: Chautauqua Park, Baseline Rd & 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302
Time: 10AM – 12PM
Cost: FREE
Life’s 2 Short Fitness, Switchback Chics and Trailmothers Colorado Chapter will be hosting a mom & kiddo hike at Chautauqua Park. Meet at the trailhead around 9:45 and plan to leave at 10:00am(ish)…there are kids to herd after all. Parking Info: Because parking is very limited in this area, visitors are encouraged to carpool, walk or bike. There are bike racks located throughout the site. There is also a parking lot at the trailhead near the Ranger Cottage, as well as limited street parking around the Chautauqua Lawn.
Maitanz – May Pole Dance


When: Sunday, May 6, 2018
Where: Harlow Platts Community Park, 1360 Gillaspie Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80305
Time: 12:30PM – 2PM
Cost: Suggested donation of $5.
The Boulder School for German Language and Culture invites you to welcome the spring with the Maitanz – May Pole Dance! Dancing, Flower Crown Weaving and German Food. Bratwurst, Sauerkraut and potato salad will be provided by Jubilations Catering. Suggested donation $5/person. Everyone is welcome! For more info, click here.